On the eve of another lockout-shortened season, there are many questions surrounding the Edmonton Oilers. How good will Justin Schultz be in the NHL? Is Devan Dubnyk ready to be an everyday starting goalie? Can Ales Hemsky and Ryan Whitney have bounce back seasons? Who will lead the Oilers in scoring: Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? How much of an impact will new head coach Ralph Krueger have?

All great questions, but the most important one is, will the Oilers make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons?
Predictions can be difficult at the best of times, but in a short season there seems to be even more variables in play.

Will the Oilers capitalize on the perceived advantage of having all of their two top-line forwards in game shape? In theory they should, but with their starting goalie and only two of six defenders (I have Potter #7)in game-shape does that negate that advantage?

Thankfully we will finally see the answers unfold on the ice starting Sunday night in Vancouver.

But before we see some games, we need to look into our crystal ball and find out where the Oilers will finish.

Predictions are in interesting animal, and sometimes they seem to contradict themselves.

Earlier this week TSN submitted a list of the top-50 players in the NHL. The Oilers had three on the list, with Jordan Eberle ranked the highest at 25th. He was ranked 19th amongst forwards, so you'd think when TSN released their projections for the top-300 scoring leaders that he'd be ranked between 15-30.

There is some miscommunication going on at TSN, because Scott Cullen clearly disagrees with the rest of his TSN colleagues and had Eberle finishing 55th overall in scoring, and 54th amongst NHL forwards.

#

PLAYER

TEAM

POS

GP

G

A

PTS

+/-

PIM

PPP

1

Evgeni Malkin

Pittsburgh

C

43

25

38

63

7

41

19

2

Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh

C

42

21

40

61

10

26

23

3

Steven Stamkos

Tampa Bay

C

48

32

23

55

2

37

20

4

Henrik Sedin

Vancouver

C

48

11

42

53

15

27

17

5

Alex Ovechkin

Washington

LW

45

25

26

51

7

25

17

6

Joe Thornton

San Jose

C

47

12

37

49

8

23

18

7

Ilya Kovalchuk

New Jersey

LW

46

22

26

48

-7

20

15

8

Claude Giroux

Philadelphia

C

47

15

33

48

5

20

15

9

Daniel Sedin

Vancouver

LW

43

20

27

47

13

21

18

10

Martin St. Louis

Tampa Bay

LW

47

15

30

45

-2

8

17

11

Corey Perry

Anaheim

RW

47

23

21

44

-1

68

15

12

Tyler Seguin

Boston

RW

46

18

25

43

12

15

10

13

Eric Staal

Carolina

C

47

18

25

43

1

34

14

14

John Tavares

N.Y. Islanders

C

47

18

25

43

-6

20

15

15

Brad Richards

N.Y. Rangers

C

46

15

28

43

-1

13

17

16

Nicklas Backstrom

Washington

C

43

12

31

43

10

21

17

17

Phil Kessel

Toronto

RW

47

20

22

42

-8

13

12

18

Jonathan Toews

Chicago

C

41

19

23

42

12

19

12

19

Loui Eriksson

Dallas

LW

47

16

26

42

6

8

9

20

Ryan Getzlaf

Anaheim

C

44

11

31

42

-1

36

14

21

Marian Gaborik

N.Y. Rangers

RW

44

20

21

41

8

20

14

22

Jason Spezza

Ottawa

C

42

16

25

41

2

18

13

23

Pavel Datsyuk

Detroit

C

42

14

27

41

11

10

13

24

Rick Nash

N.Y. Rangers

LW

46

20

20

40

-1

25

13

25

James Neal

Pittsburgh

RW

46

20

20

40

3

44

13

26

Zach Parise

Minnesota

LW

47

19

21

40

6

18

12

27

Patrick Marleau

San Jose

LW

48

19

21

40

4

13

15

28

Henrik Zetterberg

Detroit

LW

47

14

26

40

6

25

13

29

Jarome Iginla

Calgary

RW

48

19

20

39

-3

26

13

30

Teemu Selanne

Anaheim

RW

43

16

23

39

1

21

18

31

Patrick Kane

Chicago

RW

47

14

25

39

5

18

12

32

Logan Couture

San Jose

C

45

19

19

38

4

12

13

33

Thomas Vanek

Buffalo

LW

45

18

20

38

-1

20

14

34

Jamie Benn

Dallas

C

43

16

22

38

4

31

7

35

David Krejci

Boston

C

46

12

26

38

5

16

8

36

Bobby Ryan

Anaheim

LW

47

19

18

37

4

38

8

37

Patrick Sharp

Chicago

LW

44

18

19

37

11

21

11

38

Tomas Plekanec

Montreal

C

47

15

22

37

-2

33

11

39

Mike Ribeiro

Washington

C

44

11

26

37

-1

28

11

40

Dany Heatley

Minnesota

RW

47

16

20

36

4

25

15

41

Joe Pavelski

San Jose

RW

45

15

21

36

7

16

12

42

Jason Pominville

Buffalo

RW

47

15

21

36

-1

9

12

43

Mike Richards

Los Angeles

C

46

14

22

36

4

42

12

44

Marian Hossa

Chicago

RW

41

14

22

36

9

14

11

45

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Edmonton

C

43

13

23

36

-2

13

16

46

Patrik Elias

New Jersey

LW

45

12

24

36

-1

11

13

47

PA Parenteau

Colorado

RW

47

11

25

36

-5

42

11

48

Matt Duchene

Colorado

C

43

15

20

35

-5

11

11

49

Gabriel Landeskog

Colorado

LW

47

15

20

35

6

33

8

50

Patrice Bergeron

Boston

C

46

12

23

35

15

14

8

51

Ray Whitney

Dallas

LW

46

12

23

35

-2

15

13

52

Erik Karlsson

Ottawa

D

46

9

26

35

-2

25

13

53

Matt Moulson

N.Y. Islanders

LW

48

19

15

34

-2

8

12

54

Milan Lucic

Boston

LW

44

16

18

34

7

67

7

55

Jordan Eberle

Edmonton

RW

44

15

19

34

-2

8

11

56

Vladimir Tarasenko

St. Louis

RW

44

15

19

34

5

14

6

57

Paul Stastny

Colorado

C

46

12

22

34

-4

26

12

58

Anze Kopitar

Los Angeles

C

37

12

22

34

7

9

12

59

Jakub Voracek

Philadelphia

RW

46

11

23

34

2

18

6

60

Alexander Semin

Carolina

LW

42

17

16

33

7

34

11

61

Alex Burrows

Vancouver

RW

46

17

16

33

14

53

3

62

Scott Hartnell

Philadelphia

LW

48

17

16

33

8

82

9

63

Taylor Hall

Edmonton

LW

43

16

17

33

-4

19

11

64

Jeff Skinner

Carolina

RW

42

15

18

33

-2

30

11

65

David Backes

St. Louis

C

47

15

18

33

11

58

9

66

Damien Brunner

Detroit

RW

44

13

20

33

5

22

7

67

Jaromir Jagr

Dallas

RW

41

12

21

33

4

25

11

68

Max Pacioretty

Montreal

LW

43

16

16

32

-1

30

6

69

Jordan Staal

Carolina

C

41

15

17

32

6

21

7

80

Evander Kane

Winnipeg

LW

43

15

16

31

2

35

5

81

Nail Yakupov

Edmonton

LW

46

15

16

31

2

20

7

122

Justin Schultz

Edmonton

D

46

9

19

28

1

9

8

142

Sam Gagner

Edmonton

C

42

10

16

26

-3

20

7

145

Ales Hemsky

Edmonton

RW

35

9

17

26

-2

15

9

164

Ryan Smyth

Edmonton

LW

46

11

13

24

-1

35

4

250

Shawn Horcoff

Edmonton

C

40

7

12

19

-8

21

6

295

Ryan Whitney

Edmonton

D

30

2

14

16

-2

19

5

It's also interesting to note that he had Eberle dropping from 16th in goals down to 45th. Cullen is evidently in the camp of those who feel Eberle won't be able to produce at a rate similar to last season. I've said before it would be a major accomplishment for Eberle to score 46 points this year, (pro-rated to equal last season), since very few players have back-to-back 76+ point seasons, but I don't expect him to fall as much as Cullen or others do. I see Eberle scoring 40-43 points if he plays the majority of games.

HAVE TO SCORE AT EV

If the Oilers want to make the playoffs they need to score more 5-on-5. The Oilers were 22nd in goals for/goals against ratio. It is no surprise that the excluding a few exceptions, LA and Florida and New Jersey, the teams who made the playoffs scored goals EV than they gave up.

1

DETROIT

181

126

55

2

BOSTON

193

146

47

3

PITTSBURGH

190

162

28

4

VANCOUVER

160

135

25

5

ST LOUIS

137

102

25

6

PHILADELPHIA

168

149

19

7

NY RANGERS

150

132

18

8

PHOENIX

159

143

16

9

SAN JOSE

147

134

13

10

OTTAWA

166

158

8

11

NASHVILLE

158

150

8

12

BUFFALO

154

150

4

13

CHICAGO

172

170

2

14

WASHINGTON

152

150

2

15

WINNIPEG

158

160

-2

16

DALLAS

149

152

-3

17

LOS ANGELES

118

121

-3

18

MONTREAL

143

150

-7

19

NEW JERSEY

140

150

-10

20

COLORADO

138

149

-11

21

TAMPA BAY

173

186

-13

22

EDMONTON

139

153

-14

23

ANAHEIM

142

157

-15

24

CALGARY

134

151

-17

25

FLORIDA

127

144

-17

26

TORONTO

156

182

-26

27

CAROLINA

140

166

-26

28

COLUMBUS

132

166

-34

29

MINNESOTA

112

148

-36

30

NY ISLANDERS

133

179

-46

Florida is the exception based on a few blowouts, 7-0 and 8-0 losses, but also because they had a whopping 18 OTL. They only won 32 games in regulation last year, yet the made the playoffs. They weren't that good, but when you look at the best and worst teams in the league EV gives you a good indication of where teams stand, with a few exceptions of course.

OILERS PP WILL WIN THEM GAMES

It seems many people feel the Oilers PP will be carry them to the playoffs, but that is only true if they take fewer penalties and their PK improves.

I'm not sure the Oilers PP can get much better.

They had the 3rd best PP, 20.6%, and scored the 5th most PP goals with 54. Their PP was good, and likely should be in the top-7 again this year, but can they be better than 23%?

If they Oilers have as many powerplays as last season, 262, they will have 153 this year. And in order to click at 24% they'd need to score 37 PP goals. It is possible, but if they scored 31 they'd sit at 20.4%, which is almost identical to last season.

If you told Krueger right now that he could have a 20% PP he'd take it in a heartbeat. Last season only 3 teams cracked the 20% mark with the man advantage.

As good as their powerplay was last year, it was basically negated by their penalty kill.

The Oilers were shorthanded 296 times last year, good for 5th most in the NHL. And it's not like the Oilers were an aggressive team, they took too many obstruction and sticking penalties.

The Oilers surrendered 52 goals when down a man last year, so essentially they needed a 20.6% PP just to be +2 on special teams. The Oilers were 14th in PK efficiency at 82.4%, but when you take that many penalties it impacts your ability to win the special teams battle.

The Oilers have a lot of areas to improve on, but if they improve their EV play they will have an excellent shot at making the playoffs.

NATION WRITERS CHIME IN...

I asked fellow Nation contributors, Brownlee, Wayne, Lowetide, Willis and Strudwick to close their eyes and pick give me their informed opinions on who makes it in the western conference, who plays in the Cup final and a brief explanation of why they slotted the Oilers where they did.

BROWNLEE

1. St. Louis

2. Vancouver

3. Los Angeles

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Minnesota

7. Nashville

8. Edmonton

9. Detroit

10. Dallas

11. Colorado

12. Phoenix

13. Calgary

14. Anaheim

15. Columbus

A lot of people think picking the Oilers to make the playoffs is taking a big flyer.

It is, but when I look at Edmonton's top-six forwards and the defense with a full year of Nick Schultz and the additions of Justin Schultz and Mark Fistric, I see a playoff team IF -- isn't there always at least one? -- Devan Dubnyk doesn't implode as the clear-cut No. 1 goaltender and IF Ryan Whitney stays healthy.

WANYE

"The Edmonton Oilers are my favourite hockey team and I think they are great and will make the playoffs and I love recess." - Wanye, Age 8

There is only one option for the Cup...Oilers crush Sidney and the Penguins.

LOWETIDE

1.1. LAK: Continuation of last season, too much talent, very balanced.

2.2. VAN: Despite the injuries, strong club with depth on defense and quality goaltending.

3.3. STL: Remind me of LAK of one year ago.

4.4. CHI: Possibly the strongest line-up in the conference, goaltending puts them here

5.5. NAS: Amazing hockey club, seem to have a plug and play for every need.

6.6. PHX: Lots of turnover but similar to Nashville in that they’ll get it done.

7.7. MIN: Off-season dream additions and young talent carry the day.

8.8. EDM: There’s just too much offense to keep them from making the second season, and Dubnyk is better than many believe.

9.9. DET: Retirements and defections heavily outweigh additions.

10.10. SJS: This is the year they begin to fade.

11.11. DAL: Some nice things, but a bizarre off-season leaves them outside the playoffs.

12.12. COL: Strong young team has enough holes and will struggle.

13.13. ANA: A team in transition.

14.14. CAL: The bottom falls out.

15.15. CBJ: Defense and goaltending remain a mess.

Cup finalists will be Vancouver and the Rangers, with Vancouver winning their 1st Stanley. I know. I’m already mad at myself.

WILLIS

1. Los Angeles

2. Vancouver

3. St. Louis

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Detroit

7. Phoenix

8. Colorado

9. Minnesota

10. Edmonton

11. Dallas

12. Nashville

13. Anaheim

14. Calgary

15. Columbus

On Edmonton: For the first time in a long time I see them as a legitimate playoff contender. I think one team besides Vancouver will make the post-season, and Colorado/Minnesota/Edmonton are all neck-and-neck-and-neck at this point. An injury or an unexpected absence - such as Ryan O'Reilly staying in the KHL - could change the balance of power, as could a sharp move by any of the general managers in charge of those clubs. I see the Oilers falling just short but staying in the mix until the bitter end.

Stanley Cup Finals: Pittsburgh over Vancouver.

STRUDWICK

1. St. Louis

2. Minnesota

3. Los Angeles

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Vancouver

7. Detroit

8. Phoenix

9. Nashville

10. Dallas

11. Edmonton

12. Calgary

13. Anaheim

14. Colorado

15. Columbus

The Oilers will improve in the standings, but there are still questions they need to answer before they become a playoff team.

1. Can the team stay healthy?

2. Can their goaltending become playoff calibre?

3. Are they a hard enough team to play against?

Rangers beat the Kings and win the Cup.

GREGOR

1. St. Louis

2. Los Angeles

3. Minnesota

4. Chicago

5. San Jose

6. Edmonton

7. Vancouver

8. Anaheim

9. Detroit

10. Dallas

11. Columbus

12. Nashville

13. Phoenix

14. Colorado

15. Calgary

My brain says the Oilers won't make the playoffs, I say they actually finish 13th because they aren't that good, but the Nation has never experienced a playoff run and the Oilers luck has to change eventually. Injuries are my main concern, because the Oilers aren't a big team. Many of their skilled players like Hall, Hemsky and Yakupov will get hit often since they don't play on the perimeter.

The Oilers have a mixture of young, hungry players and some veterans in Hemsky, Whitney, Dubnyk and Whitney with lots to prove. Krueger says they won't play a passive game, and the Oilers will be better defensively, but my biggest concern is that this team isn't tough enough. They don't know how to compete hard enough every night, yet. I'm not talking fighting or hitting, because they don't have many bangers, but just being battled tested. If they can learn that this year, I think they have the skill to make a serious run for the playoffs, but I don't expect them to. However, since you had to endure no hockey for four months, I'm going positive and picking them to make the playoffs.

But if the Oilers don't improve, I don't see any reason why GM Steve Tambellini keeps his job. They don't have to make the playoffs, but they need to show significant improvement. If they don't, then ownership has to look at the architect of the team, Tambellini.

I haven't picked them to make the playoffs in six years, so it's time for a change. And speaking of change the Detroit Red Wings won't enjoy life without Nick Lidstrom.

The Rangers defeat the Blues in six to win the Cup.

WHAT SAY YE...

What do you think Nation? Let's see who ends up with the closest prediction on April 27th.

PAY ATTENTION

Bianca Beauchamps just adds to the Positive Friday vibe. At around 12:00 this morning we will unveil the Nation's 2013 hockey draft. First place will win a $5,000 shopping spree. It costs only $20 bucks to enter and a portion of the proceeds will go to charity, because it's the right thing to do. We will have over 100 prizes. It will be awesome.

Do you want to go to the Home Opener on Tuesday?

If you LIKE the Jason Gregor Show fan page you can win. It is the easiest way to track people down. If you don't want to that is fine, just don't complain that I should give tickets away on here. It's a hassle tracking down people. On facebook I can direct message the person right away. It is simple.

I'll give away tickets to the home opener on Monday. Good luck.

RECENTLY BY JASON GREGOR

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

I left the Oilers at 9th because I usually like to be conservative when it comes to predictions involving my favourite teams. I could definitely see teams like Detroit or San Jose falling out however and the Oilers sneaking in. Here's hoping!

I also have the Flames in 11th, not because they are that good but mostly because they know how to screw things up and go on a run at the end of the season resulting in an average draft pick.

That being said, I think 6 through 11 will be within maybe 3 points because of all the conference/divisional games so the Oil could drop to as low as 11 but let's keep them where they are for now. I really think Vancouver drops because Luongo is far more important than they think and by the time they figure that they will have given up too many points. Also tough to see 3 teams from the division in the mix which is why Oil could be on the outside looking in. BUT, want to give the Oil the benefit of the doubt that while they may still be a touch weak on the back end they will win a lot of 10-7 games...you know, be up and score some empty netters...I also predict a LOT of overtime games...

A healthy Whitney, Hemsky, and a reasonable coach and the Oilers last season are a 11-12th place team, not 14th. This season, especially because it's shortened, the Oilers could be anywhere from 5th to 10th in the West.

Oilers get in only if they play 200 ft of the ice every single night. Run and Gun is fine, but if the entire team dose not play defensive hockey
they will not make the playoffs, if they do, they could even do better than 8. spot.

1. St. Louis Solid lineup and Hitchcock is a difference maker. Detroit, Nashville and possibly Chicago take a step back and allows Blues to pick up points within the division

2. Los Angeles, No hangover this time around and if Bernier can play at the same level as Quick, there should be no reason to walk away with division.

3. Edmonton, I know, it sounds like a homer pick, but with their injuries, Luongo fiasco, and just their body language, something tells me this is the year Vancouver falls on its face, and if the kids hit the ground running, in a short season, they can take the division.

4. Phoenix, every year they exceed expectations, and their lineup is solid up and down the charts, and they are the exact kind of team to take a short season and dominate.

5. Chicago, same old same old

6. Nashville, this team just seems to find a way to compete and I dont think the loss of Suter is as big a deal as many do.

7. San Jose, this team just reminds me of a more talented Flames team, slow and pondering and I can see them have a very slow start to the season.

8. Vancouver, I see more injuries, I see more drama, and I see a lot of frustration throughout the team, enough that even making the playoffs might be generous.

9. Minnesota, I actually think the influx of younger players more than the two big signings will change the atmosphere in Minny.

10. Detroit, Will be neck and neck with Minny and San Jose for the last spot, slow ponderous defence will hurt talented forwards.

11. Dallas, off season moves arent enough, and if Benn signing drags on, where does the offense come from

12. Colorado, this will be a streak team, but overall I think they will fall short, but they are moving in the right direction.

13. Anaheim, trying to get two of the big three signed is going to be a distraction, especially if they dont want to be. Teemu will be solid but the defence is really suspect.

15. Calgary, you can only ride Kipper so long, and the team is perfectly built to self-destruct. Absolutely no stability down the middle, and a questionable top 6. The biggest benefit for flames fans is hopefully management will recognise the teams downfall and take the opportunity to move aging stars for picks as they will be guaranteed at least one lottery pick.

Hall can lay some guys out as well. And Harti should make a difference

I hope your right,I really think the progress of hall,ebs,rnh the health of whitney and hemsky,plus the addition of yaks and schultz(and n.schultz playing a full year)will move this team up tonns,I cant think of another team stacked like oilers,just wish we had some grit,but hall can play tough,harti should help just hope eager gets a fire lit under him and fistric plays like he did in dallas,because any game the oilers can open up and run and gun they will win(easily)thhey need help playing against the tougher teams to allow there style to prevail

I have Edmonton increasing in Goals For and staying the same for Goals Against. I looked at who will fall and who will improve this year. St. Louis, Los Angeles and Edmonton will all improve, Vancouver, Phoenix, Nashville, Calgary and Dallas will all fall and the rest will stay relatively the same. Edmonton only has to have a win ratio of 50% (24 wins) and about 6 tie games to be able to get to this position.

Throw injuries to any team into the mix and there will be a large amount of them this year.The shortened season is going to make it very close for the last spot.Could be 5-6 teams within 5 points either way at the end of the season.

The huge road trip for the Brier will make or break the year for the Oil.

1)STL- Strong deep well rounded team. Rookie Tarasenko will provide extra offense. Pet/sha Top D pair in nhl.
2)MIN- Last year they were at the top of the West for some time and now they have added; Suter, Parise, and young tallent.

3)LA- It will hurt not to have Kopitar for start, but they have lots of guys that can carry the team.

4)Chi- Brings much of the same team as last year.

5)Van- With kesler and booth out they have some serious conserns upfront, especially if raymond struggles again.

6)Nsh- In shortend season they will be able to use their size and grit to win close defensive games.

7)EDM- With the oilers boasting a stronger/deeper D core and my belief that dubby could be a starter. Oil PP/top 6 will win them enough games to crack playoffs!

8)DET- They will feel the lose of Hall of Fame defense man Lidstrom but will be able to do what mo-town does, make playoffs.

9)PHX- Will be rigt in the mix of things, but I doubt Smith will be able to repeat last seasons goaltending.

10)SJS- The window is finally closing on sharks chances. However this could be the one pick that I does a 360 and ends up in top 4, but I just see them stumbling out through season.

11)Dal- Made some offseason moves, but dont see them having what it takes to make playoff but 11-7 will be no more then 4 or 5 points apart.

12)ANA- Could see some HUGE trades coming out of ANA at deadline with Getzlaf and Perry being UFAs in offseason.

13)COL- Have a feeling O'reily might not be here for start of season. Col will have another tough season but will be climbing back into playoffs soon.

14)CAL- Let the rebuild begin. The flames are about to start down a long dark road.

15)COL- Added some nice peices in Nash trade but will be last again. We all know how that feels.

Its tough for 3 teams in the same divsion to make playoffs but with CAL and COL being 13/14 I think it is completely believable that all three, VAN/MIN/EDM will make playoffs.

1. St.louis - a full year with hitch wins them the presidents trophy
2. Edmonton - Dubbie will prove he is a top 10 goalie in the league
3. San Jose - Still have too many pieces
4. LA - Have a slow start but come roaring back
5. Vancouver - Forward depth will hurt them this year
6. Chicago - Goaltending is the big ?
7. Detroit - Still a great team but Lindstrom will be missed
8. Dallas - Lehtty stands strong and Dallas one of the best defensive this year
9. Anaheim - Getzlaf and Perry on contract years but still not enough
10. Calgary - Tucker out down the stretch and just miss
11. Minnesota - Behind Suter defence is weak
12. Nashville - Rinne can't play d and score goals too bad for the preds
13. Phoenix - They are the coyotes enough said
14. Columbus - Will slowly start to improve
15. Colorado - Not having O'Reilly kills this team

"Since the D pairings continue to be consistent, it seems as though Mark Fistric will sit out on Sunday vs. Vancouver. Corey Potter appears to have won the sixth spot (for now) and will likely be paired with Ryan Whitney."

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=651099&navid=DL|EDM|home

So disappointing. I wonder how long Potter is going to cost this team before Fistric takes his place full time like he should be doing.

DSF is flailing like mad. Haha. It's a beautiful thing. his/her posts have gone from annoying to slightly refreshing to downright laughable. Keep posting, DSF. They say the Endorphins released when laughing is extremely healthy.

LAK vs DET - LAK in 7 - The loss of Lidstrom is too much for this old Wings team
NSH vs EDM - NSH in 6 - Barry Trotz's Defence-first style playoff hockey puts the young guns to sleep. Everyone in EDM celebrates the dark days of the Oilers are over

LAK vs NSH - LAK in 5 - The Oilers tired out the Preds with the run and gun play.
LAK to face NYR for the cup